About a half dozen I don't want to abuse it so I can't do it anymore so I don't and read up on the reviews or the spoiled snowflakes on steam give the game bad reviews from the start.

Games I refunded

Age of Decadance
Arma III
Warmachine Tactics
Dishonored Death of the Outsider didn't even play refunded before release
The Evil Within" didn't play that refunded before release
some top down RTS where stuff was too small to see

Usually I'm pretty good at picking the right game since I only buy like 1-6 on Steam a year.

I disagree. Not enough games offer demos anymore. I've returned a few under the 2 hour limit that were just not any fun compared to how the game was largely advertised. If I have enough fun where I make it over 2 hours but still dump the game at the 4 hour mark I eat the cost at that point because at least I still got 4 hours out of it - But if i'm playing a game and immediately can tell that I don't like it I won't hesitate with the under 2 hour refund.

Alot of developers show the very best aspects of the game in screen shots that are not actual gameplay just modeled stuff when you purchase the game to quote Butthead "What the Hell is this crap?'" Just smoke and mirrors or if a game in in early access you are screwed when they stopped development.
Game development is more art than science try telling that to Electronic Arts minus the Arts.
Real game development is more spiritual than anything just like a good Comic Book Artist who didn't goto college to learn art.

I disagree. Not enough games offer demos anymore. I've returned a few under the 2 hour limit that were just not any fun compared to how the game was largely advertised. If I have enough fun where I make it over 2 hours but still dump the game at the 4 hour mark I eat the cost at that point because at least I still got 4 hours out of it - But if i'm playing a game and immediately can tell that I don't like it I won't hesitate with the under 2 hour refund.

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I agree demos should be more prevalent than they are. However I feel the 6+ needs context. 6+ out of 10 games, that's an issue. 6+ out of 600 well that's a whole other issue :-p

Since we have near instant reviews and lets-play videos available, if you can't tell whether you might be interested in a game before you buy it then you need to reevaluate what it is about games you like. If you're on the fence, wait for a sale.

No Mans Sky: no explanation really needed here
NieR:Automata: Resolution bothered the shit out of me
The Long Dark: No idea why I refunded this, it was probably a resolution issue or something, it was my first refund

I've repurchased each one of these since. The only one I somewhat regret is No Man's Sky, honestly it feels as if it should have been a $25 game. Ended up putting over 100 hours into NieR since I rebought it and used the FAR patch. The Long Dark I play on and off and enjoy it.

I don't see a problem with refunds, but I can see how it can be abused.

Just a guess, but a I think that I’ve returned 3 games or so. All of them were broken pieces of garbage in the early days of VR.

For a brief period of time, I was willing to try out just about anything VR with “very positive” reviews without doing much research.
I still think that VR is potentially really cool, but it needs more *completed* content, and none of this broken “tech demo” or early access stuff.

None, just because nothing I've bought since they implemented that policy has been that broken. Nioh felt like it could have been, but it's mostly bulletproof once you get over the borked on-screen prompts.

Funny how this thread has brought out something of a circlejerk of elitists proudly proclaiming they don't refund games because they aren't poor/stupid/whatever.

Refunds were implemented for a reason, and there are plenty of legitimate causes to refund without abusing the system. Would you rather not have the option at all?

I haven't refunded any yet but I am glad I have the option to do so. With developers/publishers getting more and more shady, we need this kind of consumer protection.

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I am honestly curious, what would you call a legitimate reason?

For me, the only real reason would be if the game doesn't actually play. Either it won't start up or has glitches somewhat unique to your setup such as stuttering, sound dropping out, freezing, crashing, etc. For stuff like that I absolutely am glad for refunds being an option.

None. Never had to request a refund for a game since I always read reviews and watch for major issues. Any game that I buy is thoroughly researched prior to purchase; with some exceptions such as Fallout or Elder Scrolls series.

For me, the only real reason would be if the game doesn't actually play. Either it won't start up or has glitches somewhat unique to your setup such as stuttering, sound dropping out, freezing, crashing, etc. For stuff like that I absolutely am glad for refunds being an option.

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Well, you already answered your own question...broken, buggy games. Keep in mind that not all games are going to run, or run properly on all hardware, so even if the game works for some people it may not work for everyone.

Or, just games that end up being shit and/or the developer or publisher lied about pre-release, e.g. No Man's Sky.

Really the same reasons why you would ask for a refund for any product. I just think the attitude that refunds are somehow beneath people is stupid as hell.

I don't condone the use of refunds as a demo system, though I do believe more games should have either open betas or demos before launch.

Nothing wrong them offering or anyone needing a refund. PC games are quirky as hell at times. I've just been lucky enough to have powerful hardware and the patience to wait for patches. Some games (like Arkham Knight, AC Unity, and BF4) went from horrible messes to pretty damned awesome with some updates and the right hardware.
If a developer backs out of supporting their work, I'll happily go the refund route. I just haven't needed to yet because I mainly buy AAA titles they're unlikely to bail on.

with the condition many games are being released in.. Im really quite surprised to see it not a great deal more. Guess people are doing more than enough research into the games coming out and arent buying into some of the busted up games coming out.

Zero, and I even bought F04 along with it's dlc (at a discount). I still have hopes with that game on a higher spec'd system than what I currently have (i5 3470 and 1050ti, 8G ram).
At any rate I am finding lately that I gravitate towards shopping at GoG for some reason. Should I self analyze?

A number, probably 5. But I didn't activate most. I bought most of those intended for gifts but ended up not sending them, so I got refunds after they sat in my inventory for 7 or so days. The only game I played and received a refund for was DCS Hawk as I found it to be very sub par. Even years later apparently the developers are still having trouble getting the Hawk out the door, and it seems like they have thrown the towel in and will no longer develop for the DCS platform. In which case I am glad I got my refund. 3+ years (or was it 4?) and they still can't get a basic trainer plane finished? I feel bad for them, but I am very happy I got a refund. 3-4 years for a beta that is still not yet fully released is just too long of a wait.

Must mean that you're one of the so called circlejerk's you talk about. No refunds. It's good that Steam offers refunds, just cause I never got a refund doesn't mean I'm a elitists!

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Except I didn't start bragging about not being poor/stupid/whatever for using refunds. I've only never used one because I haven't needed one yet. But I am certainly glad they exist and people should definitely use them for shit/broken games.